Jim Nicola

Longtime Nuart theater fans remember when the concession stand had an old-fashioned wooden till in lieu of a cash register and workers behind the counter had to calculate snack totals and change all in their heads. Tickets were bought from the near-dilapidated booth that, upon peering inside, revealed itself to be full of papers and old books. It really wasnt that long ago. But like an aging starlet mainlining Botox, the West L.A. theater has had a spiffy overhaul that brings it square into the 21st century. What hasnt changed in more than 10 years is the Nuarts leadership, which comes in the form of the very chill, laid-back but friendly Jim Nicola, who, in 1996, after working there part time for a few years, became the theaters manager.

Exactly what do you do as a theater manager?

Multitask. You name it, I do it. I wear dozens of hats.

Whats the best part of your job?

Working with the wonderfully creative and unique people who orbit this theater  all of them tremendously passionate about film. From the artists, musicians and film geeks employed here to everyone involved in making, distributing and publicizing the films  film critics included. And our patrons, all of whom come here wide-eyed and with open minds. All are hugely supportive of what we do.

Whats the hardest part?

Offering solace to filmmakers when a film doesnt gross as well as it should. So much effort goes into making and releasing a film that its sometimes heartbreaking. Cinema is the medium of and for the masses, but mass, as we all know, is not necessarily a criterionfor quality. And, unfortunately, its sometimes the case to have the best-reviewed film in L.A. open with only a handful of people in the audience. Who was it who said the more people that like a film the worse it probably is?

Whats a favorite Nuart memory?

I had the opportunity to pick up David Lynchs print of Eraserhead for a midnight screening from the Lynch compound up in the hills, complete with a guided tour  unfortunately not by Lynch, who was in Poland at the time. I was witness to paintings in progress and an elaborate bird feeder with a squirrel-preclusion device.

What makes the Nuart such a great theater?

The Nuart is an L.A. institution. Theres nothing else like it, and you cant see these films anywhere else. Call them indie, edgy, art house, foreign or whatever, its essential cinema. And were always ahead of the curve.

Get the Weekly Newsletter

Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.